Article Surfing Archive

Health insurance is a sore topic with a lot of people. Fully 50% of all Louisiana residents admit that paying health insurance premiums is a financial hardship every month, and approximately 16% of all Louisiana residents can't afford health insurance at all.

If you're feeling the pinch when it comes to paying for your health insurance there is some good news. There are actually several things you can do that can lower the cost of your health insurance. Even if only one of these ideas applies to your situation you could, conceivably, save hundreds of dollars each and every year.

Look for group health insurance. Group health insurance is almost always less expensive than individual health insurance and group insurance may not be as picky about pre-existing conditions, smoking and weight issues.

If your place of employment doesn't offer its employees low-cost group health insurance then start asking around at any clubs, organizations, associations or groups that you belong to. A surprising number offer their members group health insurance at a good savings. If none of your organizations offers group health, ask if your friends or relatives belong to any clubs or associations that offer their members group health insurance.

Sometimes even religious groups offer members low-cost group health. Ask.

Clean up your act. In other words, stop eating fast food, stop eating fried foods, stop smoking or using chew, and lose weight.

Each of those things is difficult for the average person to do, but the truth is, if you smoke and if you eat poorly, and if you are overweight you are not going to get discount health insurance in Louisiana or anywhere else.

If you are overweight there is some good news. It could be that all you'll need to do is to lose a little weight. Sometimes losing even a few pounds can drop you into a lower weight classification and if that happens that could potentially save you hundreds of dollars each year.

Exercise. Exercise does not mean that you need to buy some fancy gizmo from a TV infomercial and it doesn't mean you need to spring for a gym membership that you'll never use. It does mean that you need to get out of the house at least 3 days a week and walk for half an hour or ride a bike or do something that uses your muscles and gets your heart beating.

Make arrangements to pay your premium automatically each month.

Stay away from extreme sports. If you intentionally put your health at risk through dangerous sports, hobbies or driving fast sports cars you'll pay the price in higher monthly health insurance premiums.

Can you afford to increase your co-payment every time you visit your doctor? If you can afford a 50% co-pay each time you visit your doctor you'll save quite a bit each month on the cost of your health insurance. If you don't see your doctor very often each year then this could be an excellent way for you to save some serious money.

Pay a higher deductible. The higher your deductible the less you're going to pay every month for your health insurance. But keep in mind that your deductible is money that you are agreeing to pay each and every year for your health care before you ask your insurance company to start contributing - so don't go overboard and promise to pay more than you can afford.

Buy your health insurance online. Find at least 3 websites that let you compare the prices of health insurance from one insurance company to another and then - using some of the things you have learned in this article - fill out the forms on 3 different websites exactly the same. It's important that you fill out the form in exactly the same way each time so that you are comparing the same health insurance policy every time.

As soon as you've done this you're done! You are now an expert on ways to save money and get discount health insurance in Louisiana - and you'll be saving money month after month for years to come!